Larry David Talks 'Curb' in NYC, 'American Idol'

There's some new Larry David coming to TV this summer -- sort of. 'Curb: The Discussion' will append David's post-'Seinfeld' masterwork, 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' on the TV Guide Network, supplementing episodes of the show with candid discussions about the situations and moral dilemmas Larry encounters. 'The Discussion' is hosted by Larry's onscreen nemesis, Susie Essman, and features several guest panelists for each installment -- one conversation includes Jerry Seinfeld and Oscar-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson.

Hot off the news that 'Curb' will film its eighth season in David's native New York City -- taking the series away from its LA home -- the writer-producer-star spoke on a conference call about what's in store for season eight, that infamous Jesus episode and who he likes on 'American Idol.'

"We're going to be filming 'Curb' in New York this summer, yeah," David confirmed hours after Susie Essman spilled the beans. David wouldn't divulge how the plot would bring him to the city, but he said "half the season" will take place in NYC. "I'm very excited. We're going to shoot all over. I wanted to change it up a little bit after last season."

'Curb' costar and 'The Discussion' host Susie Essman, a New Yorker, told the New York Post, "They all live in LA, and for seven seasons, I've been schlepping out there. Now I get to sleep in my own bed. Let them stay in hotels."

David's response? "That's true," he laughed. "She's been a good trooper, shuttling back and forth."

Though Larry and Susie are bitter enemies on the show, it's not so in real life. "We get along great. I never fight with her about anything." How do they pull off that volatility so convincingly in their scenes? "It's the easiest thing I've ever done, and I think it's the easiest thing she's ever done," David said.

Following up a pseudo-reunion for 'Seinfeld' on the seventh season of 'Curb' is a big task for David. "It's kind of daunting, to think how we're ever going to top that season. I don't know if we'll top it, but we'll have some pretty funny shows. I was concerned before we started writing, but now I'm feeling pretty good."

David said he may have a role in store for Ricky Gervais, another comic genius behind a cult TV classic, the British 'Office.' "I'd love to have him on. I'm going to see if there's anything that's right for him this season." David also confirmed J.B. Smoove will reprise his role as Leon Black. Larry hearkened back to discovering Smoove: "As soon as I looked at him, I started laughing and I hired him on the spot. He's fabulous."

Asked if he's worried about the show being edited for language -- a particular concern when it comes to the curse-laden humor of both Smoove and Essman -- David was unconcerned. "It doesn't really change anything. Susie's so angry, it comes across. It doesn't matter if she's saying freakin.' You'd be surprised -- it still plays pretty well."

The next season will pick up where the last left off, David said, adding that if it's the show's last hurrah, he won't prepare fans beforehand, a la 'Lost.' "It just makes the whole thing kind of treacly. I don't like it. I don't want that. Sometimes people have heart attacks and die, y'know? There's no closure." But is he leaning on it being final season? "I'm always leaning. I'm never kind of not leaning. I've been leaning since the start."

David guessed 'Curb' may go into syndication this September, but didn't know particulars or a network.

David, who generally stays away from interviews, recently lent his expertise to Golf.com, discussing one of his favorite pastimes. Would he mind being considered an expert for any other niche publications? "Parallel parking," he quipped. Parallel Parking Magazine's cover model, Larry David? "Yes. My ten tips on parallel parking."

Asked for the most common misconceptions between him and his character, David said, "That I'm as funny and as honest. They're often intimidated."

David told interviewers he watches 'American Idol' with his kids, adding his favorite was eliminated. He seemed surprised when an interviewer asserted there was no real talent on 'Idol' this season. "I can't believe I'm being asked about this," David said, chuckling. "I would vote for Crystal." Quizzed further on his TV tastes, we learned he doesn't watch 'Dancing With the Stars,' but thought 'The Pacific' was "tremendous."

Circling back to religious controversy the show faced over a seventh-season episode involving out-of-control urination and a portrait of Jesus, David weighed in: "None of the criticism came from anyone who actually gets HBO and watches the show as fans. The controversy came from people who probably didn't even watch the episode and just heard I p***ed on Jesus, which of course I didn't do. I'm glad that people were offended -- I don't mind it. I don't care."

Does the classic neurotic grump keep in touch with the like-minded director of his big screen debut, Woody Allen's 'Whatever Works'? "I leave him alone. I don't think he wants to be bothered by the likes of me. He doesn't need Larry David in his life." Did Allen seem like a 'Curb' fan? "I don't know if he watches, but he wanted me for the movie, so I know he saw at least one episode."